Alabama Bans Dismemberment Abortions

05-15-2016

Alabama recently because the fifth state to ban an abortion procedure that requires the unborn child to be dismembered in the womb before it is removed.

"Notwithstanding any other provision of law, it shall be unlawful for any individual to purposely perform or attempt to perform a dismemberment abortion and thereby kill an unborn child unless necessary to prevent serious health risk to the unborn child's mother," reads Senate Bill 363 or "Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act."

Gov. Robert Bentley signed the bill this week, having Alabama join Kansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia in banning dismemberment abortions.

Alabama Citizens for Life National Director Cheryl Ciamarra praised the new law.

"Governor Robert Bentley is to be commended for his action in signing into law the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act, which will prohibit this barbaric inhumanity in our state," said Ciamarra in a statement.

"We appreciate the exceptional leadership of Senator Phil Williams and Representatives Mack Butler for spearheading the enactment of this landmark lifesaving legislation."

The bill required strong support from both the chambers, the Senate approved it in a vote of 30-2 and the House of Representatives approved it 74-26.

Legislators in the states of Idaho, Louisiana, Missouri, and Nebraska are reviewing similar bills.

Louisiana's House of Representatives unanimously passed a similar legislation in late April.

"Louisiana has a long history of protecting the most vulnerable members of our society — unborn children. HB 1081 will further advance that cherished tradition “ wrote Republican Representative Mike Johnson, who introduced Louisiana’s HB 1081.

"This legislation will protect unborn babies by ending the barbaric practice of dismemberment abortion in our state," he added.